Recap from the March 31, 2025, Meeting.
Meeting run by President, Mike Wedell
Thought of the day: Bobby Fiedler
Welcome to Online Members: Melanie Alexander, Shane Orr, Monica Koechle
Happy News/Announcements: All Happy News funds go towards our scholarship awards.
Lynsey Krusie- MCC is hosting their Annual Ledgends event on Thursday night at Geneva. You can still get tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-mcc-legends-tickets-1252057039309. Lindsey Phillips- Big Brother Big Sisters Muscatine County received the Big Brother Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) Growth Award for program excellence in 2024. Megan Francis and iLLUMINATE by Crossroads received the Presidential Award at the GMCCI Annual Dinner on Thursday. Jessica Pfab- We’re celebrating two outstanding Rotarians. Congratulations to Megan Francis for receiving the GMMCI Presidential Award in recognition of her hard work on iLLUMINATE. Bob Jensen was honored with the Timeless Impact Award at the CFGM Dinner, celebrating his 20 years of service. Mike Ruby- recognized Mark Roberts for his participation in the Rotary Leadership Institute. This is a great opportunity, and we encourage more members to consider taking these valuable classes in the future. Bob Jensen- grateful for the recognition and award from CFGM, Bob shared his inspiration for giving back: “Muscatine has been good to us. This is our way of giving back.” Chuck Moody- A throw back to the days it was required to wear your Rotary pin to meetings. In that spirit, if you're not wearing your pin today, it’s time to contribute a dollar to the table.
Club Business:
- Follow the Rotary Club of Muscatine’s Facebook page, @MuscatineRotaryClub.
- We are looking for members to join the board and/or help with programs and membership. This is a great opportunity to get involved and give back.
- May 10- Garage Sale Fundraiser. More information to come.
- Work started on the Pocket Park. We will update the Rotary grant activity as that process continues.
- Lisa Heckman is looking for volunteers to share a Thought of the Day. Please email her at heckmanlisa@hotmail.com to get on the schedule.
- Volunteer Opportunities:
- Mobile Food Pantry Volunteer Opportunity: Volunteers are still needed from 4-5:30 on April 1. Use the link below to sign up if you are available. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rmtNfi25shfn2S1LYG0e56iVwcMj2VA9X6FB5WU_vS4/edit
Presentation-
Chelsea Harms- Hair Heroes
Hair Hereos is a before-school program offered to students at Jefferson Elementary School. Chelsea Harms came up with the idea while searching for a Leadership Muscatine project that would impact our community. Chelsea learned the staggering statistics about the number of students struggling to meet basic hygiene and sleep needs from her work with Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Hair Heroes is a means to address hair hygiene and give students the confidence they need to face the school day. The program's goal is to provide students with basic hair hygiene and one-on-one time with an adult. Appointments are booked with teachers and hair stylists are all community volunteers. During the visit, students read to and talk with volunteers, adding a focus on literacy and positive adult interaction. Each student receives their own comb to be used during and after the visit. Volunteers have received training to deal with lice and other common hygiene concerns they could encounter. There is a nurse available to address concerns outside the volunteer's scope of training. In a typical week, the program will see 30-35 students, and they are starting to see repeat visitors. To learn more about Hair Heroes, follow the Jefferson Elementary School Facebook Page.
Missed today’s meeting? Catch up using the recording link below.
Passcode: Rotary#1
Next Meetings:
April 7- Caption Call
April 14- Micaela’s Hope